Vietnam Jan CPI +0.32 per cent On Month, +17.48 per cent On Year-GSO

’s consumer price index is forecast to have risen 0.32 per cent on month in January for the first month after drops for the past 3 months, driven up by almost all groups of goods thanks to increasing consumption demand during Lunar New Year holidays, the government-run General Statistic Office showed.

However, January's CPI is still up 17.48 per cent on year, the GSO said.

Food and food services prices are expected to have been up 0.39 per cent on month, but still up 27.58 per cent on year. Rice prices are expected to have dropped 0.04 per cent on month, but still up 38.55 per cent on year while other foodstuff prices are expected to have risen 0.55 per cent on month and up 22.63 per cent on year.

Housing and construction materials costs are estimated to have increased 6.24 per cent on year and up 0.77 per cent on month.

Transportation costs have increased 2.85 per cent on year but fallen 3.51 per cent on month thanks to petroleum prices cuts late last year.

Apparels, footwear and hat have soared 12.97 per cent on year and slightly risen 1.46 per cent on month. Drinks and tobacco have increased 13.24 per cent on year, and been up 1.89 per cent on month. Medicines have been up 9.22 per cent on year and up 0.47 per cent on month. 

Cultural, sports and recreation services are estimated to have risen 12.09 per cent on year and up 1.66 per cent on month. Domestic appliances prices have been up 12.41 per cent on year and up 0.77 per cent on month. 

The government usually issues CPI figures based on estimates before the end of the reporting period.

In Vietnam , gold prices are estimated to have risen 5.38 per cent on year and been up 3.64 per cent on month. The GSO also said that by end-January, the U.S. dollar will have been up 8.16 per cent on year against the dong and up 1.48 per cent on month. (GSO Jan 2009)